At that time too many people were looking for people and things to blame – the Old Firm, Scottish Premier League Chief Executive – Roger Mitchell, the West of Scotland disease that is religious bigotry (something no-one ever seems to have the nerve to stress).
The aforementioned must all shoulder the blame to an extent – but as one of the Motherwell fans that has suffered over the past seven or eight months – I realize – John Boyle is certainly not one of these.
So where are we now? Still in temporary administration, with the majority if not all debts cleared by the aforementioned Mr. Boyle, the “Well Worth Saving” campaign seems to have run out of steam. If this is not the case let’s see some ideas coming into FirParkCorner.com – fund-raising ideas, information on the supporters’ trust developments – anything that can thrust the “Well Worth Saving” campaign back into the limelight. Even if all you can do is to get out there and support the team, help raise the attendances at our own personal “Theatre of Dreams”. Everything is appreciated – so get out there and show the rest of Scotland what Motherwell will always be made of - STEEL .
The time has also come for our local Members of Parliament, Members of Scottish Parliament to become involved and represent the people who elected them to their lofty positions.
Despite Dr. John Reid and Mr. Frank Roy both having allegiances to Glasgow Celtic – it was not the people in the east end of Glasgow who elected them, it is now time for them to stand up for the people who did – the people of Motherwell and North Lanarkshire.
Let us also see if our own First Minister – Mr. McConnell can make enough time to support his constituency club instead of chasing Scotland /Ireland 2008 – which in almost everyone’s eyes but his and a few others is a lost cause. The time has come for these local politicians to stand up and be counted, to represent their constituents. If they do not, they will be guilty of overseeing the heart being ripped out of their local communities on a scale not seen since the closing of Ravenscraig.
Despite all of my sabre-rattling in this column – the world according to Motherwell Football Club is an optimistic place. We seem to have passed our shaky period for the season, and are now producing quality young players on the Butcher/McCart conveyor belt – all of whom are growing in stature as games go by. They are learning their trade at Motherwell FC (once again take note Mr. Andy McInnes – Daily Express) and are beginning to produce the desired results.
The one message of good news I would like to share with all you fellow ‘Well fans in this season of goodwill to all men (even Andy McInnes), is that come May 2003 – the ‘Well will still be in the Scottish Premier League –
And that’s a fact.
FOREVER A ‘WELL FAN,
TAM